Symphony Hires General Manager

February 15, 1986|By Tim Smith, Staff Writer

Ann Butler, former operations manager of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Florida, has been hired as general manager of the South Florida Symphony Orchestra.

Butler began working for the Philharmonic when it was still the Fort Lauderdale Symphony in 1976 and resigned last month. She replaces Renee LaBonte, who had served as the South Florida Symphony`s manager for the past two seasons.

The Philharmonic, based in Fort Lauderdale, and the South Florida Symphony, based in Plantation, unsuccessfully attempted to negotiate a merger earlier this season. The South Florida Symphony`s board of directors voted to withdraw from the merger talks in January due to differences over artistic policies and the future of its musical and administrative personnel.